Couponing with Grace and Kindness

Over the last year, I have heard a lot of negative comments from cashiers whenever I pulled out my coupon binder. I have to admit that I no longer use a binder as I got tired of the paper folding requirements and just went to a shoe box... but that is a time constraint issue with 2 small boys... I digress...

Back to the comments...I never understood the hostility that I was experiencing at one of my favorite stores to shop at.  Over time, I have developed relationships with several of the cashiers and they are always talking about this one "binder" lady... that they all dread dealing with.  And after working with me for awhile... the hostility stopped towards me and I started receiving hellos and heads up regarding unadvertised deals.  Yet I have always wondered why it occurred in the first place.

Well today... I finally understood.  Clarity came in a chance encounter.  I was happily shopping trying to remember what I had come for even though I had a list... (another digression... we had double doctor appointments today that were over an hour travel away from each other... so it was a long day of car rides with two little boys and I probably should have shopped tomorrow) and realizing that I was not making the best deal choices... when my favorite cashier came up with another couponer.  This has happened before and I usually end up with a new friend and sometimes we swap coupons in the store.  NOT this time... it seems the couponer that I met was the rude binder lady that the cashiers were always talking about.  I had always discounted their comments as just spilt milk.  Now I know why couponers have a bad name... this was the rudest encounter full of tension and attitude that I have experienced in years.  I was totally shocked.  If this is how she talked to another couponer or even just another person...I can only imagine her response when a cashier tells her that a coupon is not scanning.

And the real irony is that this person actually teaches couponing classes around my local town for a fee. (side bar... I have no issue with someone charging a fee to teach couponing.  I, myself, don't do it for a fee... but that is my choice as currently I only teach friends on a one on one basis)....so the person who is partially responsible for giving couponers with binders a bad reputation in the local stores is also the person who is teaching (leading) others through this process.

Please, for the sake of all couponers that go after you... be nice and polite to the cashiers and fellow customers.  Grace and kindness are valuable commodities.. or as a former boss used to say " you can get more flies with honey than with vinegar."  After experiencing this chance encounter... I know that I will be praying for grace and kindness to spill out of my mouth when I am shopping.

Samantha

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Matchup posts

Lately, I have been getting questions from local friends wanting to know why I use match up lists of one blogger rather than another.  I want to clarify my reasoning... I post the lists created by those bloggers who are in the SAME region that I am for the specific store.  Each region has different sales items and sale prices and I prefer to only post those who are in my same region.  So if you live say in the North region and I am in the Southwest region for Krogers... I would recommend that you  find a good responsible blogger in your region and that is who you want to get your shopping lists with matchup from.  Please continue to follow me for other items but don't try to use a Southwest region matchup on another region's sales... it won't work.  If you need help finding a blogger in your region, please let me know and I will try to find one for you.

Samantha

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Couponing 101: Terminology

I have always found that the first step in learning a new process or procedure (the Accountant in me is coming out again… sorry) is much easier if you have list of terminology or lingo.  That way when you read the process you don’t have to ask yourself huh? when a word that you don’t know shows up or when a common word is used in an uncommon way… I wish I had found this information when I first started couponing as I felt like the bloggers were all talking Greek to this little ole lady from Louisiana… and it caused me considerable headaches and stumbling blocks in my learning process during the early stages.

Here is the common terminology that couponers use:

Blinkie—a coupon from a SmartSource machine usually attached to a shelf or freezer.  Called “blinkie” as the machine has a red blinking light on it.
BOGO –B1G1—B1G1F--Buy One Get One Free
BTFE—Box Tops for Education
 Bricks – a form of internet printable coupon.  If you look at the address bar, you will see the term “brick” which will let you know that this is a “brick” coupon.  As you print a “brick” coupon, a picture of a computer/printer with a small blinking dot will show on the screen as the coupon information is sent to your default printer.  You can only print one of these coupons, however… if you hit the back button three times after the coupon is sent to the printer, you can usually print a second copy of the coupon.  If you want additional copies, then you will need to use another computer with a different IP address.
B2G1—buy two get one free
Cat—Catalina coupon—coupon that prints from a Catalina machine found at the register dispensed on separate paper than the register receipt.  Catalina coupons are printed based upon specific items purchased.  A listing of the catalinas available each month along with the required purchase item is available (I will be posting this list each month).
CPN - Q – Coupon
 CRT—Cash Register Tape – coupons that print at the bottom of the cash register tape.
DND – coupon states “do not double”
DND5—coupon states “do not double” but the bar code starts with a “5” meaning some computers will double this coupon.  ((Note:  Krogers used to double the “5” coupons but the latest computer upgrade fixed this so that it won’t double)).
DOUBLE – A coupon that a store doubles the face value
eCoupon—coupon found on the internet but that is not printable as it is uploaded to a card.
ECB – Extra Care Buck (reward coupon earned at CVS) (CVS Specific)
ES – Easy Saver, as in Walgreens rebate booklet
EX or Exp. – Expiration date
FAR—free after rebate
GM—General Mills insert – a booklet of coupons that appear in newspapers every month or two.
GDA – good deal alert.
Hangtag—coupon found hanging from a tag around a bottle or jar.
HBA – Health & Beauty Section in the store
HOT – Hot Deal Inserts – coupons found in the Sunday paper
IP-- Internet printable coupon
IVC—Instant value coupons—for example:  Walgreen’s store coupons or store tearpads.
MC—MQ-- MFR--Manufacturers coupon
MIR – Mail In Rebate
NED – No Expiration Date
NT WT – Net Weight
OOP – Out Of Pocket-- The amount you actually spend
OOS – Out of Stock
OYNO -On Your Next Order
Peelie—coupon found on the package of a product itself.  It peels off.
PG --P&G—Proctor & Gamble insert—a booklet of coupons that are for Proctor & Gamble products
POP – Proof of purchase
PC—Price Cut
RC – Rain-check
Regional—coupon value only distributed at a certain area of the country or at a certain time. RP—Red Plum insert – a booklet of coupons that appear in newspapers.  (formally Valassis)
RR – Register Reward from Walgreens – This is a manufacturer coupon. Catalina’s printed out at Walgreens  (Walgreen specific)
Reg P—Reg—Regular price
Run – After you have done your matching, going to the grocery store to use your coupons
SAHM – Stay At Home Mom
SASE—self addressed stamped envelope
SC—Store coupon
SCR – Single Check Rebate – rebate system at Rite Aid (Rite Aid specific)
SS—Smart Source insert—a booklet of coupons that appear in newspapers
Stacking coupons – when you use two coupons together.  For example a store coupon with a manufacturers coupon on the same item.
Stockpiling – Is a pile or storage location for bulk materials. In this case meaning groceries, personal care or household products.
Tearpad – coupons or refund forms that are on a pad usually located on a display or shelf near the items.
TQ—Target coupon
TRIPLE – A coupon that a store triples the face value
TMF—try me free—refund form that usually require you to mail in proof of purchase (UPC # and original register receipt) for a full refund.
UP Rewards –UP Rite Aid Plus Up Reward (Rite Aid specific)
UPC – Universal Product Code-- barcode on the product that is scanned to determine pricing. Often needed to fulfill MIR’s.
WSL—while supplies last
 WYB – When You Buy
YMMV—your mileage may vary –Means all stores may not accept or participate.
$/$$ -- dollars off when you buy XX dollars.  Example $0.75/ $3.00 = 75₵ off when you purchase $3.00 worth of product.
$/Qty – dollars off when you buy XX quantity of a product.  Example $1 / 5 = $1.00 off when you purchase 5 of a product.

Thanks to the following bloggers for providing the basic information that I used to create this list…Valerie at The Cute Couponer, Jenny at Southern Savers, Lori at Moms By Heart, and  We Use Coupons.com.  

If my definition for a term is not clear or as my dad used to say “if it is clear as mud”… please leave a comment and I will try to provide clarification either in a reply comment or if it is needed in an additional post.  I hope this helps as we go through the Couponing 101 series.  I will be trying to post a new section of the series every other day but like always it is dependent upon my son’s and how much they may need me.

Samantha

Next post in series:  Couponing 101:  Basic overview of the Coupon process

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Additional On-line Sources of Coupons

Here are some additional on-line sources of coupons that you may not be aware of…follow the attached links:  

BettyCrocker.com: $65 in coupons available this month!
EatBetterAmerica.com: $38 in coupons available
Box Tops for Education: 16 coupons worth $15.50 in January!
Zantac:  $3.00 off coupon
Ziploc- sign up required. It’s free.
Right at Home: SC Johnson items… Windex, Glade, Ziploc, Shout, Drano, Scrubbing Bubbles, Pledge and more.
SnackPicks: Kellogg’s

(If you know of an additional source of coupon available this month, please list it in the comments.  Thanks Samantha)

Here is what is available this week for print!
Coupons.com – Ziploc, Kleenex, Jello, Hillshire Farm, Newman’s Own salad dressing, Betty Crocker fruit snacks, Nature Valley, Land O Lakes eggs, Eucerin, Aleve, Pillsbury, Totino’s, Yoplait, El Monterey and more…
Redplum.com – L’Oreal, SuperPretzel, Garnier, Sara Lee pre-sliced meats and more.
Cellfire – Betty Crocker potatoes, Betty Crocker cake mix, Colgate, Chex Mix, Green Giant, Pillsbury, Nature Valley, Rice Chex, and more.


Thanks Jill at “Single Mom on a Budget”

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Ways to get Coupons

Newspaper Home Delivery: Save 50% or more or you can purchase the Sunday Paper at Walmart for $1 instead of the rate elsewhere of $1.50…NOTE:  verify that the inserts are all there… I have had the bad experience where I bought a paper and it didn’t have any coupons as either the insert was left out or someone took them…I prefer to believe that it was accidental.  Also, on Sundays where the P&G inserts are scheduled to come out… I go early while the kids are eating breakfast as I have gone after church before and all of the papers that were left did not have any inserts…the early bird gets the inserts in this situation.
 All You Magazine (2-year): $50-$90 of coupons per issue…this is a magazine that you can only purchase from Walmarts or on-line.  I am currently purchasing mine from Walmart when I go to buy my coupon on Sunday morning…but I am looking for a really low rate online for it.  When I find it then I will order it online…currently Amazon has it for $1.67 a month with a 2 year subscription.  I think I can get it for under $1.50 so I am still looking.
The Coupon Clippers: You can view or purchase coupons.  I have never done this myself but I know of several coupon divas that have taken advantage of this service.  If you are trying to find a coupon for a product that you need to buy and have exhausted all other sources…then it can be beneficial to purchase your coupons from a service. 

Other ideas to get coupons:
#1 You can ask at the store if they can save unsold papers for you.
#2 Join a coupon train or swap coupons
#3 Receive the Red Plum Insert for free: Red Plum
#4 Print out Coupons at these sites and check the manufactures website
for printable coupons:
Coupons.com
Red Plum
Smart Source
Target Printable Grocery Coupons which can be used at stores which accept competitors coupons.
UPromise: eCoupons register your drugstore or grocery card and save when you shop.
Cellfire eCoupons available for select grocery stores.
One of my favorite sources for receiving coupons is to sign up for free samples…usually you either get a coupon with the sample or the manufacturer sometimes puts you on a mailing list for their coupons.  I have gotten really good high dollar coupons for products that I use this way along with getting a free trial of the product.
Another way is to write the manufacturer directly and tell them how much you like the product.  I have taken the time to both write and email manufacturers with good results.
I hope that this information is helpful to you.  Thanks to Cheryl Maguire of Swap Savers for some of the tips.

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2011 Coupon Insert Schedule

This is the plan for what inserts you should find in your Sunday paper each week in 2011.  Thanks Coupon Dad for posting this originally. Of course they can differ slightly by area and can change sometimes.
January
2— (2) Smart Source (2) Red Plum and General Mills
9— Smart Source and Red Plum
16 — Smart Source, Red Plum and Proctor & Gamble
23 — Smart Source and Red Plum
30 — Smart Source and Red Plum
February
6 — Smart Source
13 — No Inserts scheduled (Valentine’s Day)
20 — Smart Source, General Mills and Procter & Gamble
27 — Smart Source and Red Plum
March
6— Smart Source, Red Plum and Procter & Gamble
13 — Smart Source and Red Plum
20 — Smart Source and Red Plum
27 — (2) Smart Source, Red Plum and Procter & Gamble
April
3— No Inserts scheduled (Easter)
10 — Smart Source and Red Plum
17 — Smart Source and Red Plum
24 — Smart Source and Red Plum
May
1 — Smart Source, Red Plum and Procter & Gamble
8— Smart Source and Red Plum
15 — (2) Smart Source and Red Plum
22 — Smart Source and Red Plum
29 — No Inserts scheduled (Memorial Day)
June
5 — Smart Source, Red Plum and Procter & Gamble
12 — Smart Source
19 — Smart Source and Red Plum
26 — Smart Source and Red Plum
July
3 — No Inserts scheduled (Independence Day)
10 — Smart Source and Red Plum
17 — Smart Source
24 — Smart Source and Red Plum
31 — Smart Source, Red Plum and Procter & Gamble
August
7 — Smart Source and Red Plum
14 — Smart Source and Red Plum
21 — Smart Source and Red Plum
28 — Smart Source, Red Plum and Procter & Gamble
September
4 — No Inserts scheduled (Labor Day)
11 — Smart Source and (2) Red Plum
18 — Smart Source and Red Plum
25 — Smart Source and Red Plum
October
2 — Smart Source, Red Plum and Procter & Gamble
9 — Smart Source and Red Plum
16 — Smart Source and Red Plum
23 — Smart Source and Red Plum
30 — Smart Source and Red Plum
November
6 — Smart Source, Red Plum and Procter & Gamble
13 — Smart Source and Red Plum
20 — Smart Source and Red Plum
27 — No Inserts scheduled (Thanksgiving)
December
4 — Smart Source, Red Plum and Procter & Gamble
11 — Smart Source and Red Plum
18 — No Inserts scheduled (Christmas)
25 — Procter & Gamble

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